Page:The Negro a menace to American civilization.djvu/210

186 186 THENEGRO Then began the stirring and exciting adventures which lasted until the object of the expedition had been accomplished. Evidences of inhuman cruelty on the part of the slave traders were encountered. When the town of Ikamba was reached a gruesome sight greeted the expedition. The chief of that dis- trict, being an ally of the Arabs, had placed directly across the road a ghastly barricade of sixteen newly- severed heads. The natives had fled, however, and the town was deserted, save for these grisly warnings. Without heeding this fearful sight, the expedition pushed on, and on March 29, was stopped by an im- passable stream. Scouts were sent out to find a ford, and soon returned with the news that a large body of Arabs was preparing to cross the river at a point not far away. These v/ere the first slave dealers who had been encountered, and the force was immediately placed in position for an attack. Surprised the Arabs The Arabs had not discovered the presence of the expedition, and the first warning they had was a shell from the field-piece, which dropped into their camp. After several hours of hot fighting across the river, the Arabs withdrew, and upon crossing over, the blood which spattered the ground and bushes showed the victors that some deadly work had been done. Only one dead Arab was found, as it is the custom of this people, Mr. Mohun says, to remove their dead, if possible. After the battle, 150 men succeeded in cross- ing the river, and were ordered to push on to Riba Riba, as it was desired to reach that town before the retreat- ing forces of the defeated Arabs could give warning of the approach of the expedition. This detachment Mr. Mohun accompanied, but on reaching the town they found the place deserted. The only thing they did find was another bit of Arab pleas- antry in the shape of two right hands of white men nailed to the flagstafif in front of the chief's house. Mr. Mohun expresses the belief that they were those of